NASA astronaut Gregory H. Johnson has been named chief of the External Programs Division at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. In May 2011, Johnson piloted Endeavour's final flight, STS-134.

Beginning Oct. 13, he will assume the duties of the office for one year, while retaining his position in the astronaut corps. He succeeds astronaut Mike Foreman, who held the position from June 2010 to May 2011.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have Greg join the NASA Glenn team," said Glenn Director Ray Lugo. "With his diverse background, vast accomplishments and knowledge of NASA's many programs, he will be an invaluable asset as we continue to be an integral part of the Ohio community, as well as encourage students to 'dream big.'"

In this position, Johnson will oversee both Community and Media Relations and Educational Programs offices. He is responsible for the development and implementation of educational, information and outreach programs that contribute to scientific literacy and communicate NASA Glenn's mission and vision to the public - locally, nationally and internationally.

"I look forward to Greg's contribution to our External Programs Division," said Robyn Gordon, director of Center Operations. "Mike Foreman established a successful foundation for reaching out to the community - inspiring students to be the next generation of space explorers and building good relationships. I'm confident Greg will use these successes - and his own accomplished record as a leader - to lead the center toward even greater achievements."

A graduate from Park Hills High School in Fairborn, Ohio, Johnson was selected to join the astronaut corps in 1998. He has flown two shuttle missions, serving as the pilot of Endeavour on STS-123 in March 2008 and pilot of Endeavour's final flight, STS-134 in May 2011.

Johnson graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering. He earned a master's degree in flight structures engineering from Columbia University and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas. He is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and has logged over 5,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft. He retired from the Air Force in February 2009.

Hart Sastrowardoyo

Is Box Johnson retiring? Or am I reading too much into this story which includes:

The program at Leighton School was the final one for Johnson before he returned to his home in Houston.

Or was he just on his way back to JSC because his assignment at Glenn is over?

issman1

There are NASA astronauts in their 50's (Mastracchio and Swanson) training for upcoming missions on ISS. Whether Johnson will be selected in the near future remains to be seen.

But there's always the commercial crew flights which, as I understand, NASA has insisted that one its astronauts must serve as co-pilot. Johnson is a pilot-astronaut.

eurospace

I think you are overinterpreting, Hart. Johnson's stint at Glenn was scheduled to last one year, and as it happens to be, these twelve months are now over.

Hart Sastrowardoyo

It's the journalist in me. Another sentence then should have been inserted, "Johnson is returning to work at Johnson Space Center in Houston, as his one-year stint at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland has concluded."